Replacement of Naples benches causes stir

Naples residents Kris and Sharon Kaltenborn watch the sunset Thursday, as friends gathered to celebrate Dr. Frank Fumia's birthday and the return of Fumia's and Ronald Harris' memorial benches to the Naples Beach entrance of First Avenue N. The two concrete benches were among 69 that the City of Naples began switching out two months ago for plastic benches. Both Harris' and Fumia's benches were returned after friends and family of the two men asked the city to return the original benches.

Jewell Harris, a Naples resident, was shocked to find that the city of Naples had removed her memorial bench and that of several other residents and replaced them with plastic benches. Several residents, including Harris, complained about the benches but the city said they removed them for maintenance purposes and had warned all the residents. After several complaints came in, Harris' bench and two others were returned. Manuel Martinez/Staff

Nearly two months ago the City of Naples began swapping out 69 concrete memorial benches throughout the city for plastic benches. The new benches are made of 100 percent recycled plastic and the plaques' from the original benches have been transferred on to the new memorials. However some Naples residents have asked the city to return the original concrete memorial benches.

Nearly two months ago the City of Naples began swapping out 69 concrete memorial benches throughout the city for plastic benches. The new benches are made of 100 percent recycled plastic and the plaques' from the original benches have been transferred on to the new memorials. However some Naples residents have asked the city to return the original concrete memorial benches.

Jewell Harris, a Naples resident was shocked to find that the City of Naples had removed her memorial bench and that of several other residences and replaced them with plastic benches. Several residents including Harris complained about the benches but the city said they removed them for maintenance purposes and had warned all the residents. After several complaints came in, Harris' bench and two others were returned. Manuel Martinez/Staff.

Left to right, Ann Huber and Nancy Camodeca serve bonita residents a free meal at the Cafe of Life in Bonita Springs. The benches that use to reside at the Bonita Springs community center where the Cafe of Life was held had been removed by the city because they were poor condition. Bonita residents that use the park and the free meals provided by Cafe of Life found that the benches had been removed Thursday morning leaving them no where to sit. The nonprofit has served 55,000 meals over the last two years. Manuel Martinez/Staff

Residents of Bonita sit on the floor at Bonita Springs community center after benches were removed from the park. The benches that use to reside at the Bonita Springs community center where the Cafe of Life was held had been removed by the city because they were poor condition. Bonita residents that use the park and the free meals provided by Cafe of Life found that the benches had been removed Thursday morning leaving them no where to sit. The nonprofit has served 55,000 meals over the last two years. Manuel Martinez/Staff

Residents of Bonita sit on the floor at Bonita Springs community center after benches were removed from the park. The benches that use to reside at the Bonita Springs community center where the Cafe of Life was held had been removed by the city because they were poor condition. Bonita residents that use the park and the free meals provided by Cafe of Life found that the benches had been removed Thursday morning leaving them no where to sit. The nonprofit has served 55,000 meals over the last two years. Manuel Martinez/Staff

Linda Mollison and Clifford Thrall eat their free meals at the Cafe for Life in Bonita Springs. The benches that use to reside at the Bonita Springs community center where the Cafe of Life was held had been removed by the city because they were poor condition. Bonita residents that use the park and the free meals provided by Cafe of Life found that the benches had been removed Thursday morning leaving them no where to sit. The nonprofit has served 55,000 meals over the last two years. Manuel Martinez/Staff

Jewell Harris, a Naples resident was shocked to find that the City of Naples had removed her memorial bench and that of several other residences and replaced them with plastic benches. Several residents including Harris complained about the benches but the city said they removed them for maintenance purposes and had warned all the residents. After several complaints came in, Harris' bench and two others were returned. Manuel Martinez/Staff

A can of stout, a flower and a birthday card adorned Dr. Fumia's memorial bench Thursday afternoon. Friends and family of Fumia and Ronald Harris gathered at sunset to celebrate both Fumia's birthday and the return of Fumia's and Harris' memorial benches to the Naples Beach entrance of First Avenue N. The two concrete benches were among 69 that the City of Naples began switching out two months ago for plastic benches. Both Harris' and Fumia's benches were returned after friends and family of the two men asked the city to return the original benches.

Jewell Harris, a Naples resident was shocked to find that the City of Naples had removed her memorial bench and that of several other residences and replaced them with plastic benches. Several residents including Harris complained about the benches but the city said they removed them for maintenance purposes and had warned all the residents. After several complaints came in, Harris' bench and two others were returned. Manuel Martinez/Staff

Nearly two months ago the City of Naples began swapping out 69 concrete memorial benches throughout the city for plastic benches. The new benches are made of 100 percent recycled plastic and the plaques' from the original benches have been transferred on to the new memorials. However some Naples residents have asked the city to return the original concrete memorial benches.